The Joyful Heart of a Prison Guard

This interview was recorded on November 18, 2022, by the chief writer, Shi Fa. It features the testimony of Liu Yue, a former prison guard who, after enduring the suffering of the hells, was delivered to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss by Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

Liu Yue speaks:

"The beautiful Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—I have seen it with my own eyes. It is right before me. There are so many treasures here, but I have no desire to possess them. Simply admiring them is enough; admiring them allows more people to see their beauty."

"I am Liu Yue. Today, I am truly grateful to Practitioner Su for guiding me and fifty-nine other prison guards to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Compared to the human world, this place gives one a sense of complete liberation from all burdens. The physical ailments I suffered in the past have vanished entirely. I am deeply, deeply thankful."

A Life of Hard Work and Laughter

"If you were to describe my appearance, I have curly hair, a face that is almost square, and all the standard features—eyes, mouth, nose—but when put together, I was never considered a beauty. I was the eldest daughter in my family. My family called me 'Yue,' but the neighborhood children of my age called me 'Auntie Yue' because I looked so mature for my years. Often, neighbors would mistake me for my mother, which led to many humorous situations. At first, I felt a bit sad, but over time, I grew accustomed to it. Being an optimistic person, I did not mind letting everyone have a good laugh at my expense."

"Being the eldest daughter meant I had to shoulder many responsibilities. From the time I was old enough to understand, I was cooking for my younger siblings. By sixteen, I was working in a factory sewing clothes. Although I was not particularly beautiful, I was fast. Every month, my wages were always higher than everyone else's because of my speed."

"I had a loud voice and a particularly bright, cheerful laugh. Because of this personality, I was well-liked by the elders. My mother would always say proudly, 'Whoever marries our Yue will be the luckiest man alive.' Mother had great confidence in me, even though the neighborhood children teased me, saying I would never marry and would end up an old maid for the rest of my life."

The Burden of Filial Piety

"When I was eight, my father fell from a height while working and became disabled. My mother had to work to support us, so the responsibility of caring for my father fell entirely on my shoulders."

"I still remember clearly when my father first learned he would be disabled for life. He cried at home, beating his chest, blaming himself for being unable to care for the family and for becoming a burden. That look of profound, heart-wrenching sorrow is something I remember to this day. While children my age were still playing happily, I had already tasted the bitterness of life. Seeing my father so sad, I took the candy a neighbor auntie had given me and offered it to him. It was the most precious thing I had at the time. When my father saw me offering that candy, his expression became quite steady, like a calming anchor for his heart. Only then did he stop his inner anger and resentment. He took the candy and put it in his mouth. I was so happy. But after a few moments, he said, 'Why is this candy bitter?' I was confused. The auntie gave me this candy often, and it was always sweet. How could it be bitter? Later, I understood: my father's heart was bitter, so even the candy tasted bitter to him. Seeing his suffering, I told myself that although I could not share his burden, I would strive to live happily and bring a joyful atmosphere back into our home. With that intention, even the smallest, happiest things could make me burst into laughter."

The Village Luck Star

"We had a small plot of land, and later, I learned to farm from our neighbors. The village elders often praised my strength. To show my gratitude for their care, I would help them whenever I had a spare moment. They became as close to me as my own family."

"One year, a disaster struck the entire village. Many families had no harvest, but the rice I planted was not significantly affected. Everyone was astonished and came to ask me how this was possible. In truth, I did not know the reason either; I simply viewed everything with optimism. That season, I kept enough rice for my family and distributed the rest to every household in the village. The villagers praised me for being so capable."

"After that, I was deeply loved by the villagers. Many aunts and uncles urged their sons to marry me, calling me the village's 'Luck Star,' saying that marrying me would surely bring good fortune to their homes. At that time, many families came to propose. My mother would smile from ear to ear and say, 'I knew our Yue would be in high demand.'"

A New Chapter and the Final Departure

"After meeting many suitors, I finally found someone with whom there was mutual affection. At twenty-six, I still had my curly hair, my skin was a bit dark, and I looked older than my peers, but my smile could win over anything, and my heart was incredibly open. My personality helped my father regain his spirit. Although his legs were not mobile, he picked up his old interest—wood carving. He had never had time for it when he was young, but now he could truly excel at it."

"I set up an area at our front door to display and sell my father's carvings. When the first piece sold, my father was so excited he could not sleep; he felt as if he had been reborn. I was so happy for him. After I married, I lived nearby so I could continue to care for him. Not long after, I gave birth to three healthy children. My mother-in-law was very happy and cherished me. Our family grew more harmonious, and she often said how lucky they were to have me."

"I continued to farm, and my children grew up in the fields. They each had different personalities, but I understood them and never restricted them. I gave them an optimistic and cheerful heart, which made them very popular with others. As I grew older, my body began to fail me, and I no longer had the strength I once did. Even so, I felt that every day one is alive, one must do their best."

"I farmed until I was fifty-six, when my legs lost their strength, and I passed the work to my youngest son. To my surprise, he was willing to take it on. He said the field was full of memories of his childhood and our family, and he wanted to guard it for us. My youngest son had a personality most like mine—honest, simple, without much calculation or resentment, and very willing to care for others."

Repentance and Deliverance

"When I was sixty-one, my skin began to ulcerate all over my body, and the itching was unbearable. My optimistic heart told me this was a debt I owed others and that I should repay it. Within half a year, I breathed my last on my favorite rocking chair and left the human world. Standing before King Yama, I knelt, and immediately a scene appeared: thousands of insects wriggling and fleeing in the soil. Upon seeing it, I understood—these were the insects I had harmed when I burned the fields to make the soil more fertile. Seeing this, my heart was filled with sorrow. I knew that what I suffered in this life was not even one-ten-thousandth of the pain I had caused. I repented continuously to King Yama. Sensing my sincere heart, King Yama granted me the position of a prison guard, allowing me to serve sentient beings to atone for my past sins."

"In the hells, there are countless beings, and their numbers increase every day. The sight of each being wailing in agony broke my heart, but I knew that everything in the hells follows the laws of karma and cause and effect. Cycle after cycle, retribution after retribution—I wondered, could this ever change? Not long after, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks in the hells and learned that only by seeking rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss could all suffering end. My heart was filled with gratitude for the great compassion of Namo Amituofo, and I longed for the day I could go to the West. Unexpectedly, when the good causal conditions were ripe, Practitioner Su reached out his hand today, and fifty-nine of us prison guards immediately saw the scenery of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is beautiful beyond description, and I am deeply grateful. I am thankful to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I hope the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre will continue to let Namo Amituofo shine his great light so that all people in the world may know to seek liberation and departure from suffering. I am grateful for everything."

"Liu Yue, with palms joined in prayer."